Muzeum Miejskie

Fax.: 033 873 23 65

Info Telefon: 033 873 81 00
Besucher-Email: muzeum@wck.wadowice.pl

Babia Gora National Park

Info Telefon: (+48 33) 877 51 10, 877 67 02
Besucher-Email: park@bpn.babia-gora.pl
http://www.mos.gov.pl/kzpn/ind_gb.htm...

Babiogorski National Park was established on January 1, 1955. It is the smallest National Park in Poland, with an area of 3,391.55 ha. Forests cover an area of 1,585 ha of the Park, and 943 ha of forests are the subject to the special protection in the strict reserves (which total 1,061 ha). Babia Gora and its immediate surroundings are among the World Biosphere Reserves in Poland. The Park is located 19 km south-southwest of the city of Sucha Beskidzka, while the closest tourist center, Zawoja-Widly, is located just over 5 km from the Park border.
The wealth of animal life is represented by lynx, badger, marten, fox, weasel, deer, wild boar, wolf and, occasionally, brown bear. There are approximately 120 species of birds observed there. Among the more interesting birds that make their appearance, the wood grouse and hazelhen may be found. The old stands of trees near Mokry Staw (Wet Pond) are nesting grounds for the great eagle owl, buzzard and the tawny owl. The worlds of insects, amphibians and reptiles are also very rich.
 

Pieniny National Park

Fax.: (+48 18) 262 56 03

Info Telefon: (+48 18) 262 56 01, 262 56 02
Besucher-Email: biuro@pieninypn.pl
http://www.mos.gov.pl/kzpn/ind_gb.htm...

The Pieninski National Park was founded in January 1955. It is one of smaller parks with the area of 2,346 ha and 2,682 ha of buffer zone. A truly unique natural feature of the Pieninski National Park is the Dunajec River Gorge, which is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Rafting down the Dunajec River, through the Gorge, is a major tourist attraction, recommended in all guidebooks. The closest tourist center and health spa is Szczawnica-Kroscienko. On the Park's border there are two famous castles, in Czorsztyn and in Niedzica, both clearly visible from many spots in the Park. Adjacent to this park is the Pieniny National Park on a territory of the Slovak Republic.

Vegetation

The plant kingdom in the Park is represented by a wealth of species. The forests are made up of fir, beech, larch, and spruce trees, offering a dazzling display of colors in the fall. This Park is home to plants, which are rare in Poland, as for example Carlina acaulis and the mountain arnica (Arnica montana). Many plants are endemic to Pieniny region, and those include a cress Erysimun pieninicum.

Fauna

The animal kingdom of the Park is also rich. This Park is home to the lynx, wildcat, wolf, stag and many other animals. There are numerous colonies of bats (14 species), of which the most interesting is Miniopterus schreibersi - the only animal common to both Poland and Australia. They find convenient winter quarters in the limestone caves. The eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) may often be seen majestically circling over the massif of Trzy Korony. The Pieniny Mountains are a paradise for any entomologist. The most fascinating among numerous butterflies here is the Parnassius apollo with its white wings, decorated by black lines and red spots.

For the lasts 150 years rafting down the Dunajec Gorge has been a must of any tour program bringing people to this area. The trip begins at the raft wharf located in Sromowce-Katy, while entire 8-km journey ends up in Szczawnica. There are 250 rafts in operation, each taking 10 passengers and steered by two local raftsmen. A silent run, lasting 2-3 hours, reveals many wonders in an undisturbed environment of the Gorge's bottom, offering for example, close encounters with rare black stork and other birds and animals.
This trip is a major, but not the sole attraction of the Park. A number of hiking trails offer short but beautiful walks throughout the Pieniny Mountains and their less frequented parts known as Male (Small) and Spiskie (Spis's) Pieniny. Some of these walks, for example path leading up the Pieniny's skyline, offer breathtaking vistas into Dunajec River Gorge and other deeply cut valleys. Two picturesque castles at Czorsztyn (ruins) and Niedzica, which are embedded into a mosaic of woods and fields, add to the charm of the area. More leisurely activities would certainly include a drive to any of the area's old wooden churches such as for example Debno Podhalanskie, Grywald or Trybsz.
 

Tatra National Park

Fax.: (+48 1820) 635 79

Info Telefon: (+48 1820) 632 03, 141 92
http://www.mos.gov.pl/kzpn/ind_gb.htm...

Tatrzanski National Park was established on January 1, 1955. Its total area is 21,164 ha. Land use includes forests - 71 %, waters - 1 %, rocks and pastures - 26 %, arable grounds - 1 %, and urban area - 1 %. Strict reserves comprise 11,514 ha. The Tatra Mountains are one of the areas of Poland included on the World Biosphere Reserves list. A museum of the Park, which presents exhibits of flora, fauna, as well as geology of the Tatra Mountains, is located in Zakopane.
Because of its popularity, the Park is under severe stress year round, with visitors reaching up to 3,000,000 annually. The closest tourist center is in Zakopane, which is located on the Park's border. Zakopane and its surroundings are famous for their highlander folklore, including original folk costumes and characteristic architecture. For this reason, every year Zakopane hosts the International Festival of the Highland Folklore. The Tatras offer many summer and winter outdoor activities. Adjacent to this Park is the Tatra National Park on the territory of the Slovak Republic.

Vegetation

The vertical layering of vegetation is clearly present in the Tatra Mountains. The lower mountain forest reaches to a height of 1,250 m above sea level, and is mainly made up of spruce. The fast-growing spruce trees were planted here during the 19th century, following the clear-cutting of the original beech and fir forests. Above this zone, on the upper mountain level, a fir forest grows. The altitude between 1,550 and 1,800 m above sea level is dominated by dwarfed pine. Mountain slopes above 2,000 m belong to the alpine zone and are covered with alpine pastures, which reach to a height of 2,300 m above sea level. It is in this zone that the Tatra larkspur (Delphinum oxysepalum) may be found frequently during the hike. The loftiest and highest zone is that of the rocky peaks themselves.

Fauna

The chamois and marmot are the most characteristic mammals living in these mountains. Stag, roe, deer, bear, lynx, and many bird species, including the eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) may also be seen here.
 

Gorce National Park

Info Telefon: (+48 18) 331 72 07
Besucher-Email: gpn@wp.pl
http://www.mos.gov.pl/kzpn/ind_gb.htm...

Gorczanski National Park was established on January 1, 1981. It covers an area of 6,763 ha, of which some 2,850 ha remain under strict protection. It includes part of the Gorce Mountains, which are among the most picturesque mountain ranges in Poland due to dense forests, lush meadows, deeply cut valleys, and a beautiful panorama with the Podtatrze region crowned by the Tatry Mountain range. Well known tourist centers such as Rabka, Nowy Targ and Kroscienko, are located in the direct vicinity of the Park. The Park area is accessible through ca. 70 km of marked tourist trails, including two educational trails. Some trails are suitable for mountain bike trips.

Vegetation

The Gorce Mountains have two zones of vegetation, according to the elevation. The lower, subalpine forest (600 - 1,150 m above sea level) consists (in 80 %) of the Carpathian beechwood, Carpathian and swamp alderwood, mountainous beechwood, fir and spruce trees. The top, subalpine forest (above 1,150 m above sea level), is dominated by spruce. Some sycamore and pine trees are found in the forests. The average age of the trees reaches 100 years.
The plant flora of the Gorczanski National Park consist of ca. 950 species of vascular plants, including 17 alpine species, 22 subalpine species, 80 subalpine forest and mountain species. As many as 250 species of moss and 450 species of lichen have been noted here. Of these numbers, over 30 species remain under protection. Wondrous flowers growing in the glades include such rare species as Geum montanum and Veronica alpina.

Fauna

The Gorce are home to the Carpathian stag, deer, roe deer, wild boar, fox, wildcat, marten, hare, skunk, ermine, badger and lynx. Bear and wolf can also be found here. All of these are animals typical of the forest habitat. Over 90 species of breeding birds include eagle owl, eagle, hawk, Ural owl, wood grouse, black grouse, black stork, ring ouzel, nut-cracker, crossbill, pipit, and, seasonally, bullfinch. Some reptiles and amphibians, including salamander, may be occasionally spotted in the Park.